People Wait on the Streets for LPG Cylinders for Days
Despite the authorities saying there is no LPG crisis; people of Gorakhpur forced to sleep on the streets waiting for gas cylinders
The residents of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, are facing a severe LPG crisis and are forced to spend nights on the streets guarding their empty gas cylinders. Despite waiting excessively for multiple days, residents say that they have still returned home empty-handed due to the lack of it. While authorities insist there is no shortage of LPG cylinders, the residents question this claim.
The government recently advised the citizens to rely on digital booking for home delivery, many residents report delayed delivery and unexpected price hike by local distributors. The gas cylinder price recently went from Rs. 915 to Rs. 975 worsening the crisis.
The crisis is a result of the 2026 West Asia conflict which disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, an important passage for over 60 percent of India’s LPG imports. Locals believe this to be an administrative failure and a result of black marketing. These claims are supported by official data showing 27 FIRs that have been registered against LPG distributors for irregularities since the middle of March.
As the crisis persists the burden falls on low-income households and women who spend hours only to hunt for fuel and food amid the rising heat which has its own difficulties.
This article is written by Archana Prasad, a student of English and Foreign Languages University, interning with Deccan Chronicle.
